Google launches Pixel 3, bigger Pixel 3 XL smartphone

Google on Tuesday officially took the veils off Pixel 3 and a bigger Pixel 3 XL smartphone to take on the likes of flagship devices by Apple and Samsung. Photo: AFP

NEWYORK: Google on Tuesday officially took the veils off Pixel 3 and a bigger Pixel 3 XL smartphone to take on the likes of flagship devices by Apple and Samsung. The premium Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were introduced alongside a host of other hardware that will add to the tech giant's smart home devices. Every October, the company hosts a 'Made by Google' event to showcase the new gadgets it has been working on through the year. The Pixel 3 will cost Rs 71,000 for the 64GB variant in India and up to Rs 80,000 for the 128GB storage variant. The Pixel 3 XL will be available at Rs 83,000 for the 64GB variant and up to Rs 92,000 for the 128GB model. The pre-orders for the devices begin on October 11 in India. Notably, the overall design of both the flagships, from the rear, look almost the same as its predecessors Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL and Google has opted for a single rear camera on both. The launch event was kicked off Rick Osterloh, Google's Senior Vice President of hardware who announced all the artificial intelligence (AI) tools that the Pixel 3 would use with the help of Google Assistant. "They come at the intersection of AI, software and hardware working together. This approach is what makes Google's hardware experience so unique and it unlocks all kinds of helpful benefits," Osterloh said. The company also said that the devices have been designed from the inside out to be the smartest, "most helpful device in your life". The Pixel 3 comes with a 5.5-inch OLED display with 2,160 x 1080 resolution while the bigger Pixel 3 XL sports a 6-inch OLED display with 2,960 x 1440 resolution. Both have an aspect ratio of 18:9. Google's embraced the notch for the bigger Pixel 3 XL and both the smartphones now come with 8MP+8MP front-facing cameras. Both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL feature a 12.2MP single sensor on the rear and feature exclusive in-camera Google Lens suggestions that work real-time. Both the devices are available in 64GB and 128GB onboard storage options and Google is also promising unlimited online storage for photographs and videos until January 31, 2022. Google Pixel 3 packs a 2915mAh battery while the Pixel 3 XL comes with a 3430mAh battery. The company also introduced a new convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook -- the Pixel Slate and the Home Hub -- its own smart display that is equipped with Google Assistant.